To William Francis   27 Dec. 1850

Marburg. 27^th Dec. 1850

Dear Sir.

Your last kind letter¹ and my last packet² crossed each other on the way. You will of course take no further notice of the letter which accompanies it as I now understand what you require and shall do my best to fulfill your wishes –

It is exceedingly gratifying to me to know that the translations pleased you.³ I certainly did my best to make them worthy of the magazine but my greenness as a translator caused me to doubt of the success of my endeavours I can only say that I shall endeavour to retain your first impression of my labours in this line.

With regard to the attaching of my name⁴ I think I cannot do better than leave the matter entirely in your hands, merely remarking that whatever work I do for you I shall never be ashamed to own publicly. The idea of the reports of the progress of physics strikes me as an exceedingly good one and here I dare say the appearance of my name would be rather a benefit to me than otherwise⁵ – The matter however rests with you; use my name in any way that you may think conducive to the interest of the magazine, and I have sufficient confidence in your good nature to believe that whatever you do in this respect will be for my interest also –

I thank you for the proof sheet.⁶ I have read it but have remarked no errors. It is at the present moment in Knoblauch’s hands otherwise I might have taken a second look over it – I think however it is quite as it ought to be. Knoblauch is kind enough to send a translation of it to Poggendorff.⁷

You must not be surprised if you see an article in the next number of Poggendorff bearing the names of Knoblauch & myself. The same, in a more expanded form, has already appeared in the magazine.⁸

There have been many investigations in Germany in magnetism lately. You are aware of course of the divergence which exists between Buff and [Lorimer] and Müller as regards the laws of Lenz and Jacobi.⁹ the latter questioning these laws and the former supporting them. I have just commenced a review of the matter as it at present stands, one inducement being that in another month or so I shall send you an investigation of my own¹⁰ on the subject and they way may be thus made clear beforehand. – The subject per se is highly interesting.

Unfortunately for Marburg it is too true that Bunsen goes to Breslau – he will leave next easter. This morning he left Marburg by rail for Breslau where he will remain for a week. I may also remark that this morning our beloved (?) ‘Kurfürst’¹¹ returned to Cassel.

With best wishes believe me dear Sir | Most truly yours | John Tyndall

W^m Francis Esq^re

might I beg of you to send a copy of the last paper¹² to

M^rs. Steuart | Steuart’s Lodge | Leighlin Bridge | Ireland

StBPL T&F, Authors’ letters